The Dualis Order’s cultivation arts are divided into two main categories. The first is dual-cultivation, where men and women cultivate together to benefit each other. The second is harvesting arts, which are the classic ‘drain others to benefit oneself’ type.
That’s why the Dualis Order has a strict rule: you absolutely cannot use harvesting arts on fellow sect members. No matter who you are, if you break this rule, you’re expelled from the sect. So the disciples only use harvesting arts on outsiders.
But they also know these harvesting arts are way too evil. If word ever got out, the Dualis Order would be hated by everyone. So even when they target other cultivators, they’re extremely secretive—and usually kill the victim afterwards to cover their tracks.
That’s why the Dualis Order is famous for its ‘harmonious dual cultivation’—very few people know about their harvesting arts.
Wendy Lin is Liam Lin’s younger sister, and she’s not a Dualis Order disciple. So Gavin Jia can use harvesting arts on her. What excites Gavin even more is that Wendy’s cultivation isn’t weak—if he drains her, his own power should jump from peak ninth-layer Qi-Refining to the tenth layer.
Even better, if he drains Wendy Lin, he figures Liam Lin won’t be able to keep hiding like a coward anymore. Then Gavin can finally drive him out of the Dualis Order.
Two birds with one stone—he’d boost his own cultivation and get rid of an eyesore. Just thinking about it made Gavin Jia excited, so he sped up his pace.
But just then—
Boom!
With a loud explosion, Gavin Jia’s courtyard gate was blasted apart, scattering into fragments of wood.
A figure burst in and shouted:
"Gavin Jia, you bastard! Let go of my sister!"
Seeing his own gate smashed, Gavin Jia was furious. But when he saw the intruder was Liam Lin, he smirked and said coldly, "Liam Lin, you smashed my gate and barged in uninvited—how should you be punished for that?"
"Gavin Jia, don’t push me too far! Even a clay figure has a temper. Give me back my sister and I’ll let this go; otherwise, don’t blame me for going all out!"
As he spoke, Liam Lin stepped forward, unleashing the full force of a tenth-layer Qi-Refining cultivator.
"You’re actually tenth-layer Qi-Refining?"
Sensing Liam Lin’s cultivation, Gavin Jia was stunned. With that level, he could dominate the Outer Court, but Liam had always let himself be bullied and just endured it.
People like that are either born cowards or truly scheming villains.
For a moment, Gavin Jia hesitated. Was it really smart to keep fighting someone like Liam Lin? His big brother might be one of the Inner Court’s top ten disciples, but sect rules said Inner Court disciples couldn’t just attack Outer Court disciples directly.
In other words, even if Liam Lin got seriously hurt, Gavin’s brother couldn’t step in himself—he’d have to use roundabout methods and get other Outer Court people to do it. But Liam was already tenth-layer Qi-Refining; honestly, how many in the Outer Court could take him on?
Boom!
The next moment, Liam Lin stepped forward again. Days of pent-up frustration and anger exploded with the aura of tenth-layer Qi-Refining, slamming into Gavin Jia and forcing his bulky body back two steps before he could steady himself.
"Gavin Jia, I’ll ask you one more time—are you letting go of my sister or not?"
Seeing Liam Lin’s blood-red eyes blazing with hatred, Gavin Jia felt a chill in his heart. But if he gave up Wendy Lin now, his reputation in the Outer Court would be ruined.
Besides, if he drained Wendy Lin, he’d reach tenth-layer Qi-Refining himself. Then, with a magic treasure borrowed from his brother Drake Jia, maybe he could even defeat Liam Lin.
Thinking of this, his courage swelled. He tossed Wendy Lin aside, straightened up, and glared at Liam Lin. "Liam Lin, you’ve got some nerve. You’re just a newbie who joined the Dualis Order by connections, and you dare challenge me? I’ll give you three breaths—get out of my courtyard now, or I’ll make your life hell in the Dualis Order. Believe it or not?"
Liam Lin took a deep breath, his tone softening a little. "Gavin Jia, don’t push me. I just want to take my sister home."
Seeing Liam Lin back down, Gavin Jia knew he had the upper hand. He straightened up again, put his hands behind his back, and said with full authority, "Liam Lin, don’t be shameless. Leave now and I’ll let it slide. Your sister’s with me now, and I’ll look after you too. With my protection, your days in the Outer Court will get much better—what do you say?"
Liam Lin was tempted for a moment. But then he remembered a rumor he’d heard last night: Elder Leon Lei of the Inner Court was looking for a new concubine. With his sister’s looks, she’d definitely catch the elder’s eye. If he offered her to Elder Leon Lei, she’d have a much better fate than ending up with this fat bully.
With that thought, his resolve hardened. He even sounded a little proud: "Listen up, Fat Gavin—I brought my sister to the Dualis Order to offer her as a concubine to Elder Leon Lei of the Inner Court. Sure, your brother Drake Jia is one of the Inner Court’s top ten disciples, but compared to Elder Leon Lei, he’s nothing. Competing with Elder Lei for a woman, Gavin Jia, you must have a death wish. If you want to keep my sister, fine—but I’ll go straight to Elder Leon Lei myself!"
Hearing that Liam Lin wanted to give his sister to Elder Leon Lei, Gavin Jia’s face changed dramatically. He blustered, "Stop trying to scare me—why would Elder Leon Lei ever want your sister?"
"What if he does?" Liam Lin sneered.
Gavin Jia’s face grew uglier. Liam Lin had a point—anything could happen, and if Elder Leon Lei really did take a liking to the girl, Gavin would be in deep trouble.
If he stole Elder Leon Lei’s woman, not even his brother Drake Jia—one of the Inner Court’s top ten disciples—could save him. He’d be dead for sure.
Thinking that, Gavin Jia didn’t dare keep Wendy Lin any longer. He snorted, "Liam Lin, I’m only letting her go out of respect for Elder Leon Lei. Take her and leave!"
Hmph!
Liam Lin snorted coldly, strode over to Wendy Lin, bent down, and scooped her up before heading out.
Watching Liam Lin leave, Gavin Jia muttered bitterly, "Liam Lin, you’d better hope Elder Leon Lei really wants your sister. Otherwise, I swear I’ll tear you to pieces!"
In the shadows—
Song Yan had watched the whole thing and felt sorry for Wendy Lin. What kind of big brother was that—selling his own sister for glory? Hopefully he was just using it as an excuse to save her, but if not...
"Mm."
Wendy Lin let out a soft moan and slowly woke up. Suddenly startled, she sat up and saw Liam Lin sitting by the bed. Her face lit up with joy and she threw herself into his arms, crying, "Big Brother, I finally found you! I’m so glad, so glad!"
Held so warmly by Wendy Lin, Liam Lin’s face showed some embarrassment and guilt. But soon, his expression turned cold and ruthless. Elder Leon Lei might be old, but he was a Golden Core master—marrying him wouldn’t be such a loss for Wendy.